Classic/Antique Car Repair: Chevrolet rear axle noise/knocking, pontiac parisienne, prop shaft

Question
QUESTION: Hi Michael
Firstly, thank you very much for your time and help in advance.
I have a 1964 Pontiac Parisienne with all chevy running gear, small block 283ci, Powerglide transmission and im told, a Chevy ten bolt rear axle.
The car has recently developed a knocking sound from what feels like the rear axle area. I say feels because you can actually feel it when you are in the car. It is intermittent, and seems to start doing it when warm. It also makes a fairly ominous sounding grinding noise and starts to feel like there is something locking up inside the axle. The problem is, it doesnt do this all the time. It will do it for 6km or so then it wont do it for say, 3km, then it will start again. I think i may have run the axle low on oil for quite a while so i guess there may be damage but was wondering if you had any thoughts on what it may be?? I realise its hard to diagnose problems from noises but i'd like to get any ideas from someone a lot more knowledgable than myself before i start stripping it down..Thanks
ANSWER: Richard,

Man it kinda sounds like a broken tooth is splashing around but I'M not sure at this point but it only cost's a couple of bucks for gasket but is it a front cover or rear cover?

I thought 64's had rear cover and thats easy to remove and inspect for damage.

I'll look for symptoms you described and see what I can come up with because one way you put it, its like ok bearing but then you say it stops then starts which is odd.

But i'll check into it further, worked all day and was up late last night watching my redwings lose.

Mike

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QUESTION: Mike
Thanks for the quick reply
Well im not totally sure its a 64 axle, and pretty sure its not the original one....but it def doesnt have a rear cover..its gona be a prop shaft out job...i'd be real grateful for any further info buddy as im in the UK and info's pretty thin on the ground!!
ANSWER: Richard,
UK eh wow, I seen the km, I figured you were in Canada, here in the US we havent quite caught on to metrics yet

Your right its 8.2 drop out ---Try this link---->
http://www.riversidegear.com/categories/differential/general-motors-differential


(Neat link)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pontiac_Catalina


It sounds link somthing is really wrong so unless you pull your shafts and drop the front of pig to inspect it, its hard to say but I did find your parts to fix:)

Great talking to you, cherio
Mike

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QUESTION: Mike
Thanks for those. Looks like its going to be expensive, dammit. You wouldnt know where i'd be able to get a "how to" on stripping the thing down do you?? Do you think its something serious then or do you think it maybe could be something stupid? I cant figure out why it sometimes doesnt do it....surely if it was terminal it would do it all the time then just quit on me?....Sorry for all the questions bud
ANSWER: Hey Richard,

Its really not as hard as it looks if you are mechanically inclined and you should be to own old car.

But first I would have sevice manuel, the tear down can be done under the car. Do you have Garage?

Mike...let me know



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QUESTION: Yes im good with cars but my experience has been all with old Volkswagens, not with stuff like this. I do have access to a garage. You dont think it could be something simple then??
ANSWER: Richard,

You wrote as follows:

The car has recently developed a
knocking sound  It also makes a fairly
ominous sounding grinding noise and starts to feel like there is something locking up inside the axle.

Man I hate to laugh but a fairly
ominous sounding grinding noise does NOT sound simple..lol

Do you need to locate a service manuel?..I can prolly make phone call and get one out to you...lets start with that

go to this link and make sure what rear end you may have, look for any numbers that i can check

http://www.oldsmobility.com/10bolt-tech.htm


Follow up on 5/18 just checking in Roger to see if you have made any progress

Let me know
Mike

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QUESTION: Hey Mike
Sorry for the delay getting back to you dude, i've been super busy at work recently....Had it up on the stands on saturday and ran it in drive with the wheels off the floor. Theres a definite noise coming from the middle of the diff by the sound of it, but it never did the knocking i was talking about...i guess thats cos it isnt under load when its not on the floor. I looked at the link you gave me with all the diff types on it and im not sure mine is any of them. The car isnt here right now so i cant check but it definately doesnt have a rear inspection plate. Someone suggested maybe the carrier bearing had chewed up??...

Answer
Richard,

Most of the time the carrier bearing will just make a steady hum that gets louder and louder as it fails with out all the crunching noise. The first discription threw me off.

The rear end has got to be a front drop out and if so you need to pull the axles to remove cover and if it is the bearing....whew, a lot cheaper fix.

Keep me posted

Mike